WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Services Mgr./Asst. City Manager
Title
MARY ANN YOUNG CENTER FACILITY USE POLICY
Background
In the spring of 2018, the city council discussed the construction of a new senior center and decided to use funds in the city’s capital improvement fund to finance the project. One of the discussion items for the council was to make sure the new building is available to the public when not in use for city activities. The most discussed item was the public use of the kitchen facilities.
In May of 2018, the city council reviewed a draft facility use policy for the new Mary Ann Young Center and consensus was that it was in line with the discussions on the use of the facility and proceeded with the project. As the Mary Ann Young Center is getting closer to completion, staff wanted council to review the facility use policy to make sure it continues to meet the council’s expectations on public use of the facility.
Charging Room Rental Fee
Also discussed last year, is the plan to charge a room rental fee for outside groups at the Mary Ann Young Center and by extension city hall. Currently the city charges a $25 room set-up fee for the Cloverleaf A and B meeting rooms. The city does not charge a fee for any of the other rooms at city hall.
Recommended fees based on staff research are $50 per half-day rental for the smaller rooms and $100 per half-day rental for the larger/combined rooms. Staff is still researching rental fees for the kitchen and will have further discussion prior to approval of the annual fee resolution.
Council should have some discussion on whether some user groups should be exempt from a rental charge. Currently the city charges all user groups for rental of any park facilities/shelters.
The city does not charge any youth athletic associations (i.e. baseball and football associations) a set-up fee for the rooms at city hall. The rationale behind this is the city charges a $10 per participant fee to these associations for field/facility maintenance. Other groups to consider are other units of government and elected officials holding public meetings.
Recommendation
Provide feedback on facility use policy and charging room rental fees for Mary Ann Young Center and city hall.